Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Thu 21 May 2026 8:36, UK

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Aston Villa captain John McGinn has received a message from close friend Jack Grealish after he lifted the Europa League in Istanbul.

McGinn led Villa to their first major trophy since 1996 on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Freiburg at Besiktas Park.

Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers scored to seal a comfortable final win for Unai Emery’s side and end their long wait for silverware.

They were fired to the final by McGinn’s late brace in the second leg of the semis against Nottingham Forest, and he was front and centre to hold the trophy aloft in Istanbul after another strong showing.

It was an ideal match for Aston Villa as they had the result wrapped up before the hour mark, with former hero Grealish now taking to social media to offer his congratulations.

Jack Grealish celebrates John McGinn and sends message to Villa after Europa League win

Grealish’s love-hate relationship with Villa fans has been well-documented over the years, after many fans felt betrayed by his departure to Man City back in 2021.

The 30-year-old has spent the last four months on the sidelines during a loan spell at Everton, with his last appearance coming in a 1-0 win at Villa Park in mid-January.

He took to his Instagram story after Villa’s UEL triumph to congratulate his friend and former teammate McGinn by reposting an image of him holding the trophy aloft with the caption: “MCGINNIESTA” alongside several heart emojis.

Grealish also posted another story message to his boyhood club on a broader scale, saying: “Congrats to the whole of Aston Villa. Absolutely incredible! Especially the people that have been there from the start!! Enjoy everyone!! UTV!!!!”

What did McGinn say about Grealish live on TNT Sports?

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Everton want to sign McGinn this summer, while they remain interested in a permanent deal for Grealish, so the pair could soon be reunited on Merseyside.

The Villa captain was speaking live on TNT Sports after the match when he could not help but reserve a mention for the Everton loan star.

McGinn said: “I am going to try to enjoy it. I like to party sometimes but tonight I’m going to take it easy and try to soak it all in.

“For me, being 31 in my first European final, I’ve watched my mates win trophies, Andy Robertson, Jack Grealish.

“It’s my turn tonight, maybe not the big one that they’ve won, but for me it is so, so special and I will cherish every minute.”